Following
campaign action against metric signs, the Department for Transport has issued a
letter and memo to all local councils confirming that metric distance signs are
unlawful. Feel free to quote from the memo in correspondence with councils that
install metric signs.

From: Department for Transport,Great Minster
HouseLondon SW1P 4DR

16th July 2002

To Chief Executives of
County Councils, Metropolitan District Councils, London Borough Councils,
Unitary Councils and District Councils in England

Dear Chief Executive

THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS 1994 - UNITS OF
MEASUREMENT In view of the recent publicity about a court case involving damage
to road works signs that showed distances in metres, you might find it helpful
to have the enclosed note summarising the provisions of the Traffic Signs
Regulations in relation to use of imperial and metric units of measurement on
traffic signs. I should be grateful if you could bring this to the attention of
members of your staff who are involved in the provision of traffic signs.

Yours sincerely, etc

Head of Traffic Management Division

THE TRAFFIC SIGNS REGULATIONS AND GENERAL DIRECTIONS
1994- UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

The Traffic Signs Regulations 1994 (SI 1994
No 1519 Part I) allow signs displaying distances in imperial units only (miles
or yards). Any sign which incorporates metric distances is not a traffic sign
within the meaning of section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and is
not covered by the power to place traffic signs conferred by section
65.

Section 65 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 permits traffic
authorities to place traffic signs on or near any road in their area. Section
142 of the same Act defines "road" as any length of highway or of any other
road to which the public has access - the Act therefore covers privately owned
roads to which the public has access as well as highways maintained at public
expense.

Designs for direction signs, including those to be used on
public footpaths and bridleways, are specified in Schedule 7 to the Traffic
Signs Regulations. Distance plates for warning signs are specified in Schedule
1. Items 3 to 8 of Schedule 16 provide for the distances shown on particular
signs to be varied to include fractions of miles, or to yards where the
distance is less than half a mile, as specified for the sign diagrams listed in
those items in Schedule 16. Guidance on detailed design is given in Chapter 7
of the Traffic Signs Manual, available from The Stationery Office.

Direction 35 of the Traffic Signs General Directions 1994 (SI 1994 No
1519 Part II) permits the use of signs indicating vehicle length or width
restrictions in metres but only if the restriction is also shown in feet and
inches. Signs indicating a height limit may show feet and inches only (diagram
629.2) or imperial and metric limits together (diagram 629.2A).